How to Grow Blacksamson Echinacea

Overview

Blacksamson echinacea, or Echinacea angustifolia, is a perennial native to the central United States and Canada. Petals can vary between light purple and pink. The blacksamson echinacea blooms in mid-summer and can grow one or two feet high. General seeding of blacksamson echinacea wildflowers requires four ounces of seed per 1,000 square feet of ground surface.

Direct Outdoor Planting

Step 1

Lime the soil in the fall. Blacksamson echinacea seeds require cold conditioning to germinate.

Step 2

Scatter the seeds thinly over the area. Be sure to use the ratio of around four ounces per 1,000 square feet.

Step 3

Cover the seeds with a light sifting of potting soil to protect them over the winter and prevent their discovery by birds, rodents, and insects.

Step 4

In the spring, water the seeds and seedlings, but be careful not to over water.

Step 5

Weed the blacksamson echinacea beds well. The seedlings are sensitive, and weeds can trigger a lower success rate.

Indoor Cold Conditioning

Step 1

Place the seeds in damp sand if you do not wish to use the natural winter conditions to cold condition the seeds for germination.

Step 2

Move the seeds between the refrigerator and freezer over a period of twelve weeks to cold condition the seeds.

Step 3

Remove the seeds from the sand and plant in the flower beds.

Step 4

Water the beds regularly, but don't over water. Blacksamson echinacea is sensitive to over watering.

Step 5

Weed the beds well. Blacksamson echinacea is not particularly hardy and will do better without the competition of the weeds.